J-school recognizes outstanding faculty and staff contributions during 2014-15
The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media presented four faculty members, one adjunct faculty member and two staff members with awards that recognized excellence inside and outside of the classroom during the school’s final faculty meeting of the 2014-15 academic year.
"To see the pleasure and the passion of those who received the awards reminded me why we have done so well as a school," said Dean Susan King. "Our faculty and staff bring a passion to what they do and the students know and respond to that passion."
Edward Vick Prize for Innovation in Teaching
Laura Ruel, Hugh Morton Distinguished Professor and director of the online Master of Arts in Technology and Communication program, received the 2015 Edward Vick Prize for Innovation in Teaching. The award recognizes a faculty member whose creativity and innovation in teaching over the past academic year most meaningfully enhanced his or her students' learning experiences.
Ruel, who teaches courses in visual communication, has led the school's award-winning Powering a Nation project — which investigates the political, economic and scientific tensions behind U.S. energy through advanced reporting to engage citizens and to inspire informed decision-making — since 2009.
The award comes with a $10,000 prize. It is named for Edward Vick, a 1966 graduate of the school and one of the most creative and innovative executives in the advertising world in the last two decades of the 20th century. He retired as CEO of Young & Rubicam, a worldwide leader in marketing communications, in 2001.
David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award
Assistant professor Chad A. Stevens was honored with the David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award.
Stevens, who teaches courses in documentary storytelling, also has been recognized with a Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching — given by the University in 2013.
Outside the classroom, Stevens is a documentary filmmaker who debuted "Overburden" at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in Durham, North Carolina.
The David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in teaching at any level — undergraduate and/or graduate — and for commitment to helping students inside and outside the classroom.
Richard Cole Service Award
Assistant professor Daniel Kreiss and Distinguished Professor in Sports Communication John Sweeney were the inaugural recipients of the Richard Cole Service Award.
Kreiss directs the Mary Junck Research Colloquium, an interdisciplinary colloquium that convenes scholars from across the U.S. to create a richer research community in the school and on the UNC campus. He also teaches courses in political communication to both undergraduates and graduate students.
Sweeney, who teaches courses in advertising and sports communication, has been instrumental in leading the school's name change — from Hussman School of Journalism and Media to School of Media and Journalism — in all phases. The school becomes the School of Media and Journalism on July 1, 2015.
The Richard Cole Service Award annually recognizes one junior and one senior faculty member who each strive to create a collaborative culture within the school. It honors dean emeritus Richard Cole, whose service and commitment has made the school what it is today. The award is made possible by a gift from Dean Susan King and her husband, Mike.
Val Lauder Adjunct Teaching Award
Marshele Carter, a 2014 master's graduate who teaches courses in public relations, won the inaugural Val Lauder Adjunct Teaching Award. The award, which is named for longtime J-school feature writing instructor Val Lauder, recognizes one adjunct, instructor or otherwise non-full-time, non-tenure-track teacher at the school. It comes with a $500 prize.
Staff awards
Stephanie Willen Brown, director of the Park Library, was honored with the school’s Staff Excellence Award, drawing multiple nominations from faculty and staff. She was cited for going beyond the call of duty in her commitment to research at the school. "Stephanie's support and willingness to share her time and energy with me and with my students have meant that we are all more productive in our creative and research efforts," wrote one faculty nominator.
Michael Penny, assistant director of professional and international programs, won the Star Heel Award. Faculty and staff nominators noted his positive attitude and his willingness to take on any challenge. "He is the face of our school to so many visiting international scholars and he's grown that program and the exchanges so impressively," wrote one nominator.
Pictured, left to right: Michael Penny, John Sweeney, Stephanie Willen Brown, Chad A. Stevens and Laura Ruel.